"Almost all of the patients are children or the elderly hospitalised with symptoms of respiratory disease," Khue said.

Health experts have advised people of the risks of carbon monoxide
exposure and have also warned parents not carry their children by
motorbike in the cold weather.

Statistics from the
Livestock Breeding Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development show that the prolonged cold weather has killed over
17,000 cows and buffaloes mainly in the northern provinces of Son La,
Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Cao Bang.

In addition, peach and kumquat trees are unlikely to be able to bloom during Tet due to the freezing temperatures./.